Rain Rain go away...

It's raining yet again. 

Good thing Brenda and I went for a ride on the V Strom yesterday.  Looks like my proposed grass maintenance planned for this morning may have to wait yet another day.







Since my return from my long distance Western exploration and visits with old friends, there has been precious few opportunities to ride a bike any distance.  I've had to replace yet two more batteries, making 5 in total this season.  Seems that even trickle charged, I replace a few each year either on four wheels or two.



Holly and Kevin have been on the Island since last week when we drove to Moncton to pick them up from a NYC arrival.  They drove to Halifax yesterday morning and because Anna was at horse riding camp for the week, I pulled the Suzuki from the line-up, quickly registered her via the net and paper in pocket, loaded the 'missus' on the pillion and headed for a ride.

It was a perfectly nice day yesterday, the first since my return and even though the grass is beckoning I made a decision to wait and twist throttle instead.



We rode cross country over hill and dale, in mid twenty degree temperature and it struck me yet again, like lightning, how incredibly beautiful this little Island is.  From green manicured lawns of acreages to forest to potato fields to yellow seas of canola.  You can't help but admire this jewel here in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.  Maybe I'm mellowing in my aging state but seems each and every year I grow more grateful for the time I've had exploring this little blue orb rocketing around the sun.

There were plenty of bikes on the main routes but only one, ours bouncing our way on potholed pavement, hard packed clay roads and twisty sweepers as we passed through Glen Valley, Breadalbane, Bonshaw and Victoria by the Sea.

Here I rode onto the pier, parked the big Zuke and found us a table with bright pink chairs at the Lobster Barn Pub.  Hectic is was too, but we were able to gain a table for two in short order, although it was in and not outside where we would have preferred the view of the sandy harbor floor. the tide was most definitely, out!





The meal was better than good, but not quite 'delicious'... however our walk through Victoria in the fading sunlight, very pleasant.  I remember Victoria by the Sea from my first stint on the Island as a creepy, dirty, unpleasant odorous shanty village, that was home to a few lobster boats, some decrepit fish shacks and nothing much else.



You'd not believe this to be the same place and in fact, it's not.  The Heritage homes are refurbished with bright coats of paint, the Playhouse attracts a huge crowd, there's the chocolate shop, several cafes and a couple of very decent restaurants of a far higher quality than exists in the tourist zone opposite on the north shore. Judging by the crowds wandering through the streets, the tourist business is in full swing at least in Victoria by the Sea.



On our way home we passed through Crapaud, Westmoreland and Kinkora where we stopped in at Trevor and Erins home, they were a.w.o.l.

As we were passing through Kensington we decided to see how Isabelle was doing after her knee replacement a week ago.  Fine it seemed, she was doing jumping jacks when we arrived (j/k)

A very pleasant day as the sun slowly sunk into the west as it has for millions of years, the Suzuki back in her stall and Brenda and I a rare occasion on our own.

PEI may well be a small province but she sure is big on beauty!

Come visit...

Homeward bound.

Bow River off 1A

Okay so technically home was still 5000 km away, but I was bound for Calgary, my previous home of twenty years.  As I pointed the Savage's front wheel east on the TC highway, I wondered what it would feel like riding back into the city after a three year absence.  After all, Holly had mostly grown up there and both my girls were living and working here... 



As always, the mountains quickly receded into my rear view mirrors.  I'm using some poetic license here as truthfully about the only thing I'd seen in the mirrors for 2500 km were my shoulders.  Then again at my road speed of 90 or so kph, nothing was "quickly" receding.  Alright having that out of the way, the mountains, what I could see of them... gradually receded while I craned my neck to the left and then right for a  view through the mirrors.

Canmore saw some construction and I missed my turn off onto 1 A, which I picked up at the next exit.  I wanted to ride the slower paced route for several reasons, the least of which it was less frenetic and heavily traveled and I wanted to stop by the final resting places of Snoopy and Scribbles, both of whom  died early of kidney failure.

A Special place for me...

After a short and tearful stop, I continued into Cochrane and boy was I surprised.  The little city in the foothills had been growing in my absence.  There were subdivisions everywhere, new boulevards where only gravel country roads existed before and I can state from fact, that the single intersection of highway 22 and the TC 1A were as congested as ever!  Why aren't we allowed to filter lanes!!! 
I grabbed a quicky lunch (3pm) at the local DQ before the last leg into Cow Town.

Here too I found more road constriction and stop and go traffic entering the city on the TCH.  I was right in the rush hour but the nimble little Suzuki sliced and diced it's way through the city in exemplary burger bike fashion.  Finally, she was in her own element as a light weight boulevard cruiser!


I had returned!

The next week was spent living out of Lisa and Rick's spare bedroom, visiting with old friends and a round of the MC Shops with Tommy G as my guide and driver. 

Mr. Smiley!

Tom, like the Savage, fairly cuts his way through clogged city traffic.  I had a chance to yap with many people I knew from the MC business days, and catch up with TG, always enlightening and a treat.

Yup, pard, them there's buffalo...

While there I spent some time constructing myself, helping Holly and Kevin in building a patio divider on the deck of their duplex.  Nothing like working on your holidays right!

My girls are hard working, maybe too hard in some cases. 

Chillin' out or at least trying to. 35C

Ukrainian Orthodox church in Renfrew.

I spent quality time with Jagger, the dog and Jaxie the cat over at Lisa's pad.  There has been plenty of opportunity in a month to get my pet fix in regularly:)

Husky Tower

Now better known as the Calgary tower

I didn't ride the Suzuki much during my stay there, the leaking forks were not getting any better, but when I did, I was once again satisfied that if not a trans continental tourer, she was a good blvd cruiser.  Low to the ground, torquey and quick off the line. Besides, as that truck driver waiting next to me at a red light yelled out his window... "How big is that?  Good looking bike!"

Nearly home!

Last fuel stop.

Time stands still for no man as the saying goes and my week went by very quickly. When Monday morning arrived, I loaded the bike one last time and after the morning rush died down I headed to 16th avenue which would lead me to the Deerfoot and out of the city heading north.

I picked up 2A at Crossfield and kept to it as much as possible, only taking highway 2 when there was no alternative.

A short stop in Red Deer to fuel up and have lunch with long time friend Brenda, afterwards we said our goodbyes and with my gear on, I sat on the Savage for the final leg into Leduc, now only 75 miles distant. I turned on the ignition as I had done a hundred times this trip and pressed the starter button. 

Nothing!

I pressed it again, harder this time, still nada.  Quickly overheating in the 30 plus degree heat, I enlisted the aid of a passing trucker to give me a little push....... zero.

Smitty's Red Deer where I couldn't re start.

I said something under my breath (expletive deleted) and began peeling off clothes.  The only shade was a little strip under the Husky sign.  After a half hour of this and that, I decided to give it one more try but without help I would have to push it up the small hill and roll her down in third gear while running alongside, (try doing that on a Gold Wing!) it was too difficult to hop onto the saddle with the limited space.  By George... just as I was about to give up hope, I was greeted with the familiar "thump thump thump" and by this time I wasn't sure if that was the Suzuki's engine or my own I was hearing.  I didn't care, unwilling to shut (either) engine down... I put my riding gear back on and wasted no time hitting the highway.

Back in Leduc, cleaned up nicely (the bike, not the rider)

I rode through Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Millet and finally reached the outskirts of Leduc proper.  I rolled into Liz's place at 4 pm July 13th after a month on the road.

2505 km since departure

One month on the road

I'd covered about 4000 kilometers in total, about 2500 on the Savage and the balance on Ron's bike's and Cindy's Serow.  True... I never hit the ton on the Savage but did several times on the other two 650 Suzuki's I had at my disposal.  The single cylinder 653cc cruiser averaged about 67 mpg, my butt averaged about 300 km before burn set in, I was never so uncomfortable that there was any fear of going postal, but I did squirm plenty.

A Hazy morning view of the Confederation Bridge

I had ridden the magnificent Rockies yet again, met old friends and created yet more memories.

Final approach

True the only real (mis) adventure part was near the very end, when the little single let me down finally, but in all fairness, she did manage to take me home. 

"What do you mean... my credit card's been declined!?

All in all, as Mike and Mike would have said... 'A Most Excellent Adventure'

I was looking forward to arriving home the following day after an all night flight, seeing my wife and kitties and of course my bikes, which I'm sure were totally pissed with me for leaving them behind for so long

.

Dan the Man

Biker Chick!  Kazue.

Dan... is a cancer survivor.  Nuff said about that.

Part of the old homestead.

We spent the day wandering around the Golden area.  Having lived and worked in these here parts for decades I will say, he's like the 'King of Kensington'

Covered bridge on the Kicking Horse river, murky with snow melt.

Much like the television actor, Dan is well known, liked and obviously respected, he has after all been keeping the roads clear for many winters past, working as he does on road and snow clearing.

Nice old Special XS 650

Seeing as it was Canada Day, our country's birthday celebration, Golden closed off its main street to vehicles and opened it to vintage cars, motorcycles, vendors and parties.  There were plenty of revelers sitting in outdoor cafes, pubs and restaurants and we had a pleasant lunch out of the boiling sun at a local establishment.

"We're going where?"

Later in the afternoon we drove to the top of a nearby mountain to get a great view of the valley.

Kinda tells this story doesn't it.

This is a prime beginning jump off (and I do mean that) spot for hang gliders (crazy) and downhill extreme bikers (crazier)  Much as he coaxed me nearer the edge, I felt that last 3 feet may keep me from the 7000' down that were to follow if I lost my footing.

This is the beginning of the run... it's 70 degrees nearly vertical!

Get's Steeper!!!

"Sorry pal, that's as close as I'm getting!"

Yeah... I can ride single cylinder motorcycle thousands of miles but I wasn't getting a foot closer to that precipice!

Cool local vintage stuff.

The drive down was hairier that the one up, but eventually we made it in one piece and I didn't toss my cookies, for which I will be forever grateful.

We were entertained by music then fireworks.

In the evening we headed once again to downtown Golden where I met still more of Dan's friends and many tourists in town for vacations around the hood.  As evening came we sat and listened to a one man band, and I have to admit, he was truly good.  We were entertained by old time rock and roll leading up to the evenings fireworks across the Kicking Horse river, white with snow-melt and run-off.

Canada Day in Golden

By the time we headed back for the night we were both pretty bushed.

The next day bikes were loaded and after a fuel stop we left Golden on the Trans Canada highway east.  Over the many years I traveled this route I never tire of the amazing beauty of the Rocky Mountains, snow capped, sun shining and of course breathtaking scenery.

Picturesque Field B.C.

Dan

We made good time even though there were several construction zones and the big guy kept his throttle hand in check on the Yamaha Raider, a bike many more times as powerful as the Suzuki I was riding.

After a brief stop in picturesque Field, one of my favorite places on the planet, for a sticky bun and coffee, we left BC behind and crossed into Alberta.  Passports and Visa's up to date... no smiling in your photos, duty free smokes and booze packed.

Our next stop was Banff, but not before riding the Johnston Canyon parkway. 

Banff of course well known world wide, was plenty busy with the summer tourist season in full swing but we did manage to find the Flour bakery and cafe where we waited for my long time friend, Kazue.

I had a special surprise for her, fretting that I may not recognize her, after all she is Japanese and this was Banff...

Not to worry, when she pulled up on her pedal bike I greeted her like a long time friend, a lot of water having passed the town down the Bow river since.  I first took her to the Suzuki and she was so surprised to see me riding her old bike, the very same one she had ridden across Canada so many years before during the time we had first met.

We joined Dan for a tea and had a very nice catch up visit.  Never seems to be enough time... you could live 10 lifetimes and not get it all in!

Dan said his farewell's, he was doing the second third of the Golden triangle (Golden Banff Radium and home leaving me for a time to sit with the girl herself alone.

Alas it was time for us to depart, I'm certain a tear formed in Kaz's eyes if not for me then certainly for her old wheels.

I would be in Calgary and Lisa's new home by late afternoon...

Blazing saddle.

Overlooking Osoyoos

It was a scorching morning as I prepared to leave the Okanagan Valley behind. Wildfires ranged throughout British Columbia and even as far east as Saskatchewan.  It was already well into the high 20's when I finished loading the Suzuki and left Penticton behind on the east-side road once again.  It would reach high thirties before the day was out...

I'd had several days in the lower valley, visiting family and was ready to move on to my next target, Dan in Golden BC.

Early morning heat had me looking for shade

Sure I could have just as easily headed north up the valley and connected with the Trans Canada at Sicamous, a route well know to me and considerably shorter than the direction I was using, but I've always liked traveling the Crowsnest highway #3 in southern BC.  Lightly traveled, skirting the US border, its just a more relaxing road for my senses.

                                                                    
I fueled up in Oliver once again, and then having cruised through Osoyoos, I'd stopped for the obligatory overlook photograph mid way up Anarchist mountain. Winding corners and smooth highway suited the torque band of the big single, the slow power pulses clearly felt through the handlebars and the seat.  Although the Savage is definitely not a "touring bike" I must admit I was enjoying my ride on her. 

Always a little cooler around water

The engine, handling and riding position are best suited to slower smooth pavement and cornering gentile bends.  I even managed to pass several vehicles that had gone by me earlier, with just a twist of the wrist.  I came very close to touching the foot-pegs down in the familiar sweepers while in the 40-90kph range allowing the engine torque to pull us along.  A few times I downshifted to third gear on a few of the tightest switchbacks but mostly fourth and fifth gear were the rule. With the tank bag attached, I can't see the low mounted speedometer nor any of its idiot lights, so I had to gauge my speed by the vibration level of the engine.  This also meant that many times I'd leave my turn blinker on for miles on end, the occasional motorcyclist swishing by me giving me the universal "blinker on" signal from either the right or left hand.

I can't say I felt lonely, although when you are ensconced in your riding gear and helmet you are alone... in fact I was quite enjoying the ride even though it would take me two days to reach Dan's place.

That of course is really the true essence of traveling by motorbike is it not.  Although the end point is important, the ride is really the destination.  Unlike driving a car, where you are separated from the elements in your own artificial environment, traveling by bike means you are a part of it.  You feel the wind, you feel the cold or the heat, bugs hit you directly rather than being crushed into a glass windshield.  The sounds you hear are those of the engine or the wind whistling through your ears, not AC/DC or Reba on quadrophonic stereo.  Riding the Savage you sure weren't going to hear the exhaust, the thirty year old stock pipe was whisper quiet.

It's certainly not for everyone although in contrast to the ride across Canada in 1975, when seeing another rider was a time for rejoicing, today hundreds and thousands have their Virago's and V Stars, their Vulcans and Ventures, the CBR/FZR/KLR's and such loaded up with an assortment of luggage taking to the country's highways and byways.

As I passed each mile I came alive more and more.  I am so fortunate to have had European parents that didn't have any qualms about letting their 13 year old son onto a motorbike and thus beginning my adventures on the road at an early age.  I was fortunate that over the years I had made it a point to buy various bikes, try various disciplines and I am fortunate in having an understanding wife who was back home in PEI looking after the cats and the homestead so I could experience the ride I'd begun so long ago.

We rode through Midway and Trail, Creston and Cranbrook and finally pulled off at one of my favorite places in the world, Wasa Lake.

It had been a brutally long ride for my body however I took the risk at Creston that I could make it the final two hundred kilometers and I did.  Stiff yes, sore definitely, tired, to the bone... but I found an overnight at the Wasa Lake Motel run by a friendly Swiss couple, where I had previously stayed on occasion and if you ever find yourself in these here parts, stay for the night.

Quaint well kept and cosy... stay awhile!

Tiny Wasa Lake in the background, what a gorgeous spot!

Wasa Lake is a pretty little camper's community just north of Fort Steele. You can walk around the entire lake as Brenda and I had done a few years earlier, the lake is shallow and warm with a sandy bottom, great for kids you see, very safe.  There is a provincial campground and plenty of picnic stops if you're only passing through.



...........................................................................................

HooDoos just prior to the east-side road into Invermere heading north.

I had a short 200 kilometer ride the following day so I didn't leave at the crack of dawn and I elected to ride the west side road bypassing Fairmont hot springs tourist area and arriving in Invermere via the back roads.

I remembered fondly passing White Swan Lake's turn-off into the Rockies that brought Judy and Dennett and myself and Beth there decades ago when the natural hot spring was just that.  Since then of course the road has been widened and there are even pit toilets, but the essence of the old hot springs still prevails.

Yep... Canada is a year older like all of us.

I reached Dan's mid day and he greeted me down at the entrance to the highway.  I rode his gravel driveway to the garage and stowed the Savage for yet another night on the road.  It was great to see him, you see he has battled with cancer recently and won the fight, brutal as it was.  I was truly grateful he'd made it through those dark times, in the years I've known him I appreciated that he was another motorcycle enthusiast but also a good friend.

Dan... two thumbs up.

It was Canada Day, we would enjoy her birthday.